Sociocultural Theory in Second Language Education: An Introduction through Narratives

Merrill Swain; Penny Kinnear; Linda Steinman

Published by Multilingual Matters 2015

Sociocultural Theory in Second Language Education

An Introduction through Narratives

Merrill Swain , Penny Kinnear and Linda Steinman

In the series MM Textbooks

https://doi.org/10.21832/9781783093182

Overview
Contents

About this book

This textbook introduces the reader to concepts of sociocultural theory, through a series of narratives illuminating key concepts of the theory. This 2nd edition references recent studies that provide important instances of Vygotskian sociocultural theory in second language education and research, as well as questions for collaborative discussion.

Author / Editor information

Swain Merrill :

The authors, each from a different background, share a passion for sociocultural theory. Each author brings stories, data and experiences from her area of expertise: second language pedagogy and teacher development (Linda); elementary classroom teaching with second language and bilingual students (Penny) and teaching and research in bilingual education and second language learning (Merrill). Merrill Swain is Professor in the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning department at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.Kinnear Penny :

Penny Kinnear is Lecturer and Communication Coordinator for English Language Learning at the University of Toronto.

Steinman Linda :

Linda C Steinman is Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University in Toronto.

The authors, each from a different background, share a passion for sociocultural theory. Each author brings stories, data and experiences from her area of expertise: second language pedagogy and teacher development (Linda); classroom teaching with second language and bilingual students across a range of contexts (Penny); and teaching and research in bilingual education and second language learning and testing (Merrill). Merrill Swain is Professor Emeritus in the Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Department at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) of the University of Toronto. Penny Kinnear is Lecturer at the University of Toronto. Linda Steinman is Associate Professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics at York University in Toronto.

Reviews

The new edition continues to serve as an exceptionally creative introduction to the principles and concepts of a complex psychological theory and its implications for second language education. Rather than using vapid academic language to explain the theory, the authors beautifully lay out its principles and concepts through a series of stories told by real people as they grapple with the theory in action – an approach that Vygotsky would certainly have approved of.

This book is highly recommended and a worthwhile read for all those who seek to understand how sociocultural theory is entailed in teaching practice. The second edition continues to illustrate and explain the major concepts of sociocultural theory through the use of narratives recounted in the voices of language learners and teachers. Based on their experiences using this book in graduate courses, revisions include updates on research studies from 2010 to the present, expanded discussion questions for research and pedagogy, and the presentation of allied theoretical concepts that have recently appeared in the literature. The end result is that Swain, Kinnear and Steinman bring to life complex concepts of Vygotsky in clear and accessible ways.

I welcomed wholeheartedly the first edition of the book co-authored by Swain, Kinnear and Steinman. The book presented a very accessible and engaging treatment of central concepts in sociocultural theory. I now welcome the second edition that seems to improve on what was already a very well written book. The major revisions include an updated list of references and a revised list of questions posed at the end of each chapter. This revised edition will continue to inform and advance research in the field of second language learning and teaching.

Sara Laviosa, Italy:

In the monograph co-authored by Merrill Swain, Penny Kinnear and Linda Steinman the key principles that lie at the heart of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory (SCT) come to life thanks to the narrative approach they adopt in search of vivid illustrations and real-life experiences of SCT concepts.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Acknowledgments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vi
A Note From The Authors On The Publication Of This Second Edition Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
Vygotsky’s Story In Brief Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	viii
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	x
1: Mona: Across Time And Geography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2: Madame Tremblay: A French Immersion Story Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	15
3: Narrative 1: Jody (Talking To Self) Narrative 2: Sophie And Rachel (Talking To Others And Self) Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	31
4: Thaya: Writing Across Languages Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	49
5: Grace: The Effect Of Affect Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	73
6: Sandra’S Story: A Teacher’S Dilemma Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	91
7: Yang: Being Assessed Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	115
8: Maria And The Beatles; Jean-Paul And Second Life Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	135
Discussion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	143
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	147
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	151
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
Edition: 2nd edition
Keywords: Vygotsky; sociocultural theory; narratives; second language teaching; second language learning; Zone of Proximal Development; languaging; activity theory

eBook

Published: February 12, 2015
ISBN: 9781783093182